WPW was founded in 1967 by nine potters, when the workshop building (the original Jacob Eby farm home) was offered to an interested craft group. The first classes were held in January 1968, and the Workshop was incorporated in 1969. By 1970 there were 150 members. By 1974 this had grown to 240, an extension had been added with a gas kiln, and several electric kilns were installed in the basement. The Earthborn juried show was started in 1976.
Over the years workshops have been hosted with potters such as Tatsuzo Shimaoka from Japan, Lidia Zavadsky from Israel, Jack Sures of Regina, Robin Hopper form Vancouver Island, Jane Hamlyn from Wales, Kayo O'Young, Scott Barnim, Robert Tetu, Roger Kerslake, Bruce Cochrane, Leta Cormier, Walter Keeler, Jon Partridge, Sylva Leser, Michael Collins, Wayne Cardinelli, David Leach, Laurie Roland, Keith Campbell, Richard Zakin, Joseph Panacci, Tom Turner, Sarah Link, Nanouk, Ron Roy, Larry Davidson, Peta Hall and Vera Vicente.
In April 1998, the WPW celebrated its 30th Anniversary. Earthborn '98 was juried by Elin Racine and opened at the Canadian Clay and Glass Gallery with a Retrospective of 30 years of pots by past and present members. Many group shows were held in individual galleries throughout Kitchener and Waterloo during April, May and June to coincide with this event.
Please contact the Workshop Executive at 519.885.5570 for more information.